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Chocolate, rum and raisin fudge

When I was little my sister and I were often packed off to our grandparents’ house for part of the school holidays; I think this was mainly to give my mum a bit of peace and quiet! They kept us occupied; baking bread and making cakes or Granny teaching us how to knit, sew or speak French, though not all at the same time! One of the ‘treats’ that my Granny always saved for me was the opportunity to sort out her sewing basket; whether she ever found anything again didn’t seem to matter, but I could spend hours taking everything out and putting it all away again!

Granpa used to spoil us with his great supply of sweets ‘hidden’ in the middle drawer of the sideboard. We weren’t just allowed them at any time, but we were allowed one or two after lunch and dinner – we didn’t dare to just help ourselves! He always had sugared almonds, candied fruits and fudge. Whenever I see any of these things in the shops it aways makes me think of him, we never used to eat them at any other time! My parents went to see them this weekend so I sent them off with a package of his favourite homemade fudge – chocolate, rum and raisin – as a treat.

Wash the raisins thoroughly, despite the bag saying they were prewashed, mine were still covered in muck! Place them in a bowl with the rum to soak for 30 minutes. Melt the dark chocolate over a saucepan of simmering water (don’t let the bottom of the bowl touch the water) and remove from the heat. Stir in the crème fraîche and golden syrup. Then stir in the icing sugar gradually, I find it easier to use a small whisk to do this so that it all stays smooth. Add the raisins and the rum, to taste, be careful here – you don’t want to make it too strong but you’re going to keep it in the fridge which softens the flavour. Add a bit, taste, if you think it’s about right, add a bit more! Can you tell I was bought up in a French family!

Line a baking tray with cling-film and place the fudge in the baking tray. Place in the fridge until set. Cut into small squares and keep in the fridge. I recycled the packaging from a box of chocolates to send them to my grandparents.